Around 840 homes were classed as ‘empty’ in the Lancaster district last year, it has been revealed.
Now, Lancaster City Council is adopting a new strategy bring as many of them as possible back into use.
A new Empty Homes Strategy, adopted this week, is aiming to get 60 properties back into use every year, with Morecambe a key part of the focus, especially in the West End.
Based on 2024 figures, approximately 840 homes across the district were classed as long-term empty – vacant for over six months. The new strategy sets an ‘ambitious target’ to bring 60 homes back into use each year through interventions.
A report discussed by the council’s cabinet revealed that Lancaster has a slightly higher rate of long-term empty homes than the national average, and a combination of working with and supporting property owners, or enforcement action against problems such as poor maintenance, or increasing council tax based on how long a property has been empty, could be used to improve the situation.
The report adds that Morecambe’s West End suffers from high vacancy rates, substandard housing and economic challenges, and that specific action in areas such as it will improve community well-being, reduce criminal activity and boost local pride.
The report for the cabinet states: “Nationally, the prevalence of empty homes has been a growing concern. The government estimates there are over 255,000 long-term empty properties in the UK, creating a housing challenge amid growing demand.
“Locally, the Lancaster district mirrors this issue, with a slightly higher rate of empty homes than the national average. The city council recognises long-term empty homes as a wasted resource amid a housing crisis and shortage of available homes.”
“The Empty Homes Strategy outlines an approach to combat the issues, taking proactive steps with home-owners, employing enforcement action when necessary and exploring financial and collaborative solutions to support this work.
“Housing availability remains a challenge in Lancaster. Local policies, such as council tax premiums for empty properties exceeding one year, aim to discourage prolonged vacancies. The council has adjusted council tax charges to further-encourage occupancy, introducing higher charges the longer properties remain empty, with up to a 400 per cent premium for properties vacant over 10 years.”
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